Radio Atlantic, IA – AM 1220

Smoke from AZ fire spreads to Midwest

June 6th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

DENVER (AP) – Smoke from the Arizona wildfire has spread as far away as 1,000 miles from the blaze.

Kyle Fredin, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Denver, said Monday that a ridge of high pressure was carrying the smoke as far away as central Iowa. He said the smoke was also hitting eastern Colorado – where it obscured the view of the mountains from downtown Denver – as well as New Mexico, Nebraska and Kansas.

Fredin said the smoke won’t be as noticeable in the Midwest, where humidity already makes conditions hazy, but it would likely cause striking orange-pink sunrises and sunsets, as it has in Denver.

The high pressure system is also bringing hot, dry weather along with the smoke. Cooler temperatures are expected by Wednesday, bringing cleaner air with it.